On Viking Seas by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I LOVE this book. It’s time warps you back. The descriptions are so amazing and it feels like you are right there with the characters.
Definitely one of my favorite series to read this year! You see a lot of growth within the Agneson clan in this book.
Insatiable Darkness by L.M. Preston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a really interesting young adult book. The book itself can be read in one sitting and I got that it is a prequel. The story really wets your appetite for what is to come and I can’t wait to see where this story will lead.
The author does an amazing job with the characters. Our leading lady EmVee is a very strong willed and confident person and when she realises something isn’t right with the town they have moved to she doesn’t stop until she get answers.
So begins a tale of mystery, secrets and paranormal occurrences which leave the read questioning everything and wanting more.
As well as all this we have all the teenage angst as well with regards to emotions, relationships between friends and crushes and also learning who to trust and who not to.
This book is fast paced and gripped me from the first page. I can’t wait to see what the series has in store
On Viking Seas by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The epic adventures of the Agneson clan continues in this third book in the series, which like the previous books I thoroughly enjoyed. The historical fantasy storyline had me gripped from page one, and I liked the mix of real historical events with authentic legends, which together makes an epic fantasy story. The descriptive narrative and added historical details bring both the Viking era of circa 880, and the setting vividly to life, which made me feel immersed in the story. This epic adventure takes the reader from the Cornish pit mines to the back alleys of Jorvik, then to the Mercian Court and beyond to the North Sea, and across Midgard and the 9 realms. As usual I felt engaged with the main characters and our hero Thorfinn, who is facing supernatural revenge as he’s still trying to lift a Jarl’s curse.
The Agneson family has been scattered and they each face their own challenges, against, “Scheming aldermen, duplicitous monks, slave drivers, dark elves, trolls, ghosts, shapeshifting witches, the legendary Norse Wild Hunt, and a dragon”. Cub, has been enslaved in the Devonshire tin mines, Sorven is after retribution in Jorvik, and Kara is fighting an arranged Saxon marriage, whilst Karl and his crew are castaway on a mythic floating island. As each of the intriguing main characters tackle their challenges, the Forerunner is trying to find his scattered family to help them with their trials. I loved the added pet dragon for Finn, which brings humour to the story. It can be difficult at times to keep track of all the characters, but having been introduced to them in the previous books they have started to feel like old friends. This is a fast paced, entertaining read with many plot twists which kept me hooked, and I look forward to the next book in the series.
Lost Soul by Theresa Van Spankeren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Juliana is a young woman whose one, true love is the help’s son, Adam. Her father has higher aspirations for her though and forbids her to marry Adam but instead marries her off to Gregory! Unfortunately, he turns out to be an awful, and extremely abusive husband. When she doesn’t provide him with a male heir, his threats turn toward their daughter, Marie. One fateful night, Gregory crosses the line and murders their daughter in front of Juliana and almost kills her as well. However, as fate should have it, her rescue comes in the form of Samuel, a vampire. He offers her a different kind of life; one of freedom, power, and safety in friends, known as a Ka-Tet. She chooses this life but finds that she still has a lot of traumas to deal with from her past. Slowly she comes to terms with her choice, only to find out there is a threat to it all, too. Valentino is Samuel’s sworn enemy and will do everything in his power to eliminate their Ka-Tet. Can she come into her own power soon enough to help her friends that have given her freedom that she used to only dream about? Can she learn to love again despite her horrible past?
This is a very fast-paced read. There’s a lot of action, conflicts, and some romance thrown in there. It was hard for me to connect to Juliana because of her abusive background. I imagine that this would be very triggering for people who do have that kind of history in their lives. I did feel like the author did a good job conveying the abuse, the emotions, and the fall out of said abuse. The story drew me in rather quickly and before I knew it, the book was over! Looking forward to book 2!
Insatiable Darkness by L.M. Preston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was an interestingly good ya book! I read it so quickly and now I’m going to read the others in the series and I’m so exited for that. It kept me hooked with all of the mysteries going on. EmVee was an amazing character, I just loved her spunk and charisma. The ending definitely had me wanting more and I’m glad I don’t have to wait to get it.
Insatiable Darkness by L.M. Preston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
EmVee is a strong female character that is trying to find her place in the new town she and her family have moved into. Little does she know that it’s a town full of secrets and nothing is as it seems. Two boys like her but no one has time for attachments. With the help of her new BFF Racher, she works to discover the secret her father is hiding. Even being a young adult book, this book is a fascinating fantasy. I was pulled in from the start because she is the child of two professional fighters and is training to be a fighters. That is not something usually seen in teen girls. I love the different approach to the story. Strong female characters are a really nice thing to see. The plot line was flawless and had a really great plot twist. Silas was written in such a way that he felt creepy from the beginning. So pushy and had to be the top jock. Kayson felt like there was more to him, especially at the end. This was a terrific story that has me planning to read more of the series. This is a standalone but there is a series that goes with it.
Insatiable Darkness by L.M. Preston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Such a intriguing mystery, full of action, suspense, and everything I would hope to find in such a triller. Of course, the characters were all wonderful, and brought and added their own sense of personality and wonder to the story! I was hooked, and very much invested as I read.
The book was amazing with wonderful characters of different kinds that brought on very much wonder and triumph to the story, and the mystery that surrounded these characters really fascinated me. I was hooked the entire way through. I loved how the mystery held more than I first thought at first glance. Sometimes the obvious is not well, as obvious as it seems. I learned that one for sure from reading this book! I was hooked, amazing writing, and story line! So good from start to finish! Loved it!
Such an exceptional book full of its own magic! I was hooked and very much could not put it down! I loved it truly from start to finish! Amazing writing and author! Highly recommend this must read book!
L.M. Preston, a native of Washington, DC. An avid reader, she loved to create poetry and short-stories as a young girl. She is an author, an engineer, a professor, a mother and a wife. Her passion for writing and helping others to see their potential through her stories and encouragement has been her life’s greatest adventures. She loves to write while on the porch watching her kids play or when she is traveling, which is another passion that encouraged her writing.
Death & Mirrors: All Things Dark & Deadly, Book One by S.F. Benson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 Stars
Death & Mirrors is the first book in the All Things Dark & Deadly series by S.F Benson. This is my first experience with S.F Benson’s writing, so I was intrigued by what I might find between the covers. I love a great fantasy and from the blurb of this story it held the promise of a captivating story- and that’s exactly what I discovered when I plunged in. I am happy to have found this author and her intriguing stories. I can’t wait to explore more of her work.
As I mentioned, this is an intriguing fantasy with paranormal elements, a mirror/parallel world, a quest, action, adventure, danger, agendas, a sinister adversary, magic, family, loss, heartache, and much more.
Evaline Wainwright whisks us away on quite the adventure when she finds herself cast into a mirror world, a dark and dismal place overshadowed by the evil Doctor Death. She will need to find a legendary artefact if she has any chance of defeating this dastardly foe, before it’s all too late. With so much at stake what happens makes for an exciting read.
Plenty of intrigue and tension had me on the edge of my seat. Things are set to continue in the next book, ‘Death & Shadows’ (Book #2)- so I can’t wait to get my hands on it as soon as it releases to find out where we go from here.
Happy Reading!
Thank you, S.F. Benson!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Death & Mirrors: All Things Dark & Deadly, Book One by S.F. Benson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Evaline is an amazing character inspired to be like Sherlock Holmes one day. She ends up with an opportunity that was supposed to be taken care of by her Dad, but he refused. Evaline tool it into her own hands along with her Beau. They ended up in a mirror world of London. From there, the mystery begins! Such a good read!
On Viking Seas by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was truly as fabulous as the first two books in the series! I’m still utterly fascinated by the world and wish I could walk through all the places that are wonderfully illustrated by the author. The historical aspect keeps me completely enthralled and I just wish I could meet all the characters. This author weaves a brilliant story and builds a fabulous world. If you enjoy historical fiction with an emphasis on lore and beautifully written familial relationships, I would absolutely recommend this story!
The Mermaid and the Water Magnifying Glass by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
As always Lois delivers such a cute children’s book! I love how vivid the illustrations are in each of there and bonus they are filled with scientific facts for the kids! My daughter has enjoyed every one of these books with me!
On Viking Seas by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Third installment of the Forerunner saga, and I really feel like the Author has truly found their voice. This book is Perfection. If George R.R. Martin were to write Viking based novels, these would be it. Not to say that Batista doesn’t have their own flavor, but I’m very reminded of Martin’s style at times.
The Agneson clan has grown up and into their lots in life quite a bit more in this one. Thorfinn has grown into his “gifts” quite well and is surrounded by a crew, including his uncle Karl, that embraces him. Gurid, Kara and Hildie become reunited with old Yeru and the youngest Neeta at Gurid’s brother Cerdic’s home. Cub/Agne has survived and is a slave in the tin mines. Lastly Sorven has traveled with Willa and her husband to get Tormod ransomed back, while Willa is pregnant with her first.
We see Much more of Kara in this book and see a great deal of growth in all the Agneson children’s characters. This series and cast along with the writing style have really got me hooked now. I can’t wait to see what comes next!
Death & Mirrors: All Things Dark & Deadly, Book One by S.F. Benson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This unique Alice in wonderland retelling was definitely worth the read. Full of necromancers, magic, a detective, a mythical artifact and more this story really has it all. The plot was fascinating, the characters were unique, it was overall just a perfect retelling. I have only jaut discovered this wonderful author, and if all of her books are as good as this one, then I think i have found a new favorite author.
The Mermaid and the Water Magnifying Glass by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
From the Mermaid Science Series, Wickstrom has given us another wonderful story between the characters, Fig and Maia, along with their imaginary friend, Trezzie, the mermaid. This story takes us to the exploration of one of Trezzie’s discoveries she finds of the trilobite fossil. As Maia and Fig are exploring this new fossil, they are able to examine it closely thanks to Trezzie dropping water droplets over the fossil, which helps magnify it. Now with a close magnification of the fossil, they can better associate this fossil with other creatures.
This story is so entertaining in so many ways! For those fantasy fans, it is always great seeing a mermaid in a story and their interactions with humans. It is also a great learning opportunity for children readers and brings a scientific element to their everyday stories in aspects of nature exploration, scientific tools, and animal/fossil classification. Another important concept taken from this story is that the story’s fossil exploration also allows readers and educators to make further scientific discoveries within the confines of their outdoors all in a no-cost method of using one’s finger to add water droplets to your specimen. Both adults and children can be scientists in their own backyards. Remember this great hands-on activity with your children!
Death & Mirrors: All Things Dark & Deadly, Book One by S.F. Benson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Evaline is a necromancer and has dreams of being a great detective…so when a mysterious stranger shows up asking for her father’s help (which he refuses), she is determined to get to the bottom of what is going on. This leads her to the mirror world where Dr. Death’s reign is killing everything there and will soon begin spreading to London. Evaline is determined to stop them…but it requires finding the Firestone (a mythical artifact…no biggie, right?!?). With the help of her detective skills, necromancer skills, and some magic along the way, Evaline will work hard to stop Dr. Death before it is too late…will she be successful? (Hint: You have to read it to find out!)
I enjoyed this book. It follows the same storyline as Alice in Wonderland…but has witches, magic, and dead people. I found Evaline to be curious and I enjoyed following her on this adventure. It does end in a bit of a cliffhanger…so I will be looking forward to reading the next book to see what happens. Overall, a good story that I enjoyed reading.
Death & Mirrors: All Things Dark & Deadly, Book One by S.F. Benson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a really entertaining and enjoyable young adult fantasy. The author does a great job with the character and the world building. It is a story that really grips the reader and drags them down into an alternative world where all is not what it seems.
I really love Evaline’s character. She is a very determined young woman who is set on her goals of becoming a detective even though everyone is against the idea she pushes on and doesn’t stop. When her father turns down a chance to solve a mystery to find an ancient artifact Evaline decides to accept the mission. This leads her into an alternate world where past curses and magic await to test her. With the help of her friend and love Delbert can she solve the mystery and find the ancient artefact? Can she stop the destruction of this alternate world before it affects her world? Or will the curses that are on her family prove too much for her to overcome?
Death & Mirrors: All Things Dark & Deadly, Book One by S.F. Benson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Alice in wonderland meets Sherlock Holmes. This was such an enjoyable read.
Evaline’s mothers death has left her with questions. Just when she seems to be getting somewhere, a guest comes calling to seek magical assistance from Evaline’s father, an occult archaeologist. When he declines, Evaline’s curiosity gets the better of her. With her necromancy gift and detective skills, she finds herself on a mission in a mirror world – solve the mystery and get back home!
Evaline’s sassy and passionate personality made this book for me! The relationship with her childhood friend, Delbert, was adorable and Evaline’s determination to refine her skills to become a detective was refreshing, considering the setting in the late 1800’s.
The quirky characters we meet were a great addition to the story.
The pacing was good. I would have enjoyed more detail, especially about Evaline’s magic and the mirror world. This didn’t stop me having a great time.
The ending has me sitting on the edge on my seat for book 2!! Am looking forward to picking it up – this reader needs answers!
A great choice if you love a leading lady with some sass and enjoy a bit of mystery and magic!
༻
༻PREORDER༻༻A mercenary with death following his every step…
Leo has been evading Lady Death’s grip his entire life. First, fighting in the merciless Tominese arenas, and then becoming the most feared mercenary in the country. The unnatural powers that have made him into a ruthless killer are the same that prohibit his very existence under the royal laws of Tominay. Though they will always be hunted, he protects his brothers and sister with his every breath because allowing death to take them away has never been an option.
Now they must run, or face their worst nightmares…
When Leo’s employer finds out his younger brother holds the same power that made him into an invaluable weapon, they must make a long-awaited decision: to stay and risk slaughter, or to flee their home in search of a new life.
Will they survive the journey, or fall fighting for their freedom?
It’s a battle for survival as the siblings chase the land of their people in the hopes of a better future. Though they try to outrun it, the demons of the past never cease to haunt them, and the trials of the future hold more terror than can be imagined. But will the journey truly lead to the salvation they crave, or walk them straight to the bloody end they fear?
Twilight’s Curse by K.M. Wray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a fantastic start to a magical new series! We start by meeting Phoenix, the crown prince of the Twilight Realm. Unfortunately his parents are murdered in a coup and he and his sister are separated and he is raised in obscurity until he is old enough to take back his crown. We then meet a young Zoe, a virtual prisoner in her parents’ castle, and she is desperate to escape. She begins to realize how her magic can work for her and she is determined to keep it a secret from those who would use it to harm others. The book bounces back and forth between the two characters and from when they are younger until the present time for them. I loved seeing how the story unfolded and the characters grew and matured. Both Zoe and Nix want so badly to feel love and be needed, but they are so scared of being hurt that they keep their guards up. It was so sweet to see how they get to know each other while working to try and save a Kingdom! It was an awesome book to read and I can’t wait to read the rest of the trilogy!
Twilight’s Spy by K.M. Wray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a great bridge story between Book 1 and Book 2 of the Twilight Realm Series. We get to meet Yarissa, a young adult elf who thinks she has everything planned out and then bam! Everything starts to spiral out of control. At the start of the book, she is on a spy mission that she has to complete for her training and the mission starts to go sideways, but thanks to her quick thinking, she is able to complete the mission. This sets off a series changes she didn’t expect or plan for. As we progress through the book we see her start to grow as an elf and start to believe in herself. She begins to make new friends and slowly lets herself start to trust again. She has been entrusted in an important mission by King Phoenix to find his missing sister and she is determined to complete her mission. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and made me even more excited for book 2.
The Mermaid and the Water Magnifying Glass by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the third book in this cute series that mixes science with mermaids. Trezzie finds rocks that have patterns on them and her friend Fig teaches her how to make a magnifying glass to see them better. The pictures in this book are very pretty.
Death & Mirrors: All Things Dark & Deadly, Book One by S.F. Benson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is an imaginative story. I actually got caught up in the story near the end. Sadly this ends unfinished so the next book is needed to continue the adventure. This story felt kinda slow to me for the first half. Luckily this has short chapters which helps the story move along at a quicker pace. The second half is when things speed up and get interesting. We meet a lot of new characters and the world is just different. I felt like Dorothy who landed in Oz trying to figure out the reasons and customs of the new realm.
Overall I struggled with the first half of the book. I kept plugging along and the second half kept me entertained. We end with a lot of unanswered questions.
Death & Mirrors: All Things Dark & Deadly, Book One by S.F. Benson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I always love a good retelling and this book was a great example. It is unique take on Alice in Wonderland and the book has all the fun chaos that ia associated with it. I loved how dark and intense the story felt. It was so similar and yet at the same time completely different. I was pulled into the story easily and had to find out what was going on.
This is a new author for me and what a great way to be introduced. If this book is anything like the rest of work then I can’t wait to discover more.
Death & Mirrors: All Things Dark & Deadly, Book One by S.F. Benson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Evaline receives a black clad stranger at her door. She follows the stranger into a very depressing dark mirror world. Dark, twisted take on Alice in Wonderland, and I loved every second of it.
Death & Mirrors: All Things Dark & Deadly, Book One by S.F. Benson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Holy Cow! What an incredible book. Evaline, still mourning the loss of her mother, works for her father as his secretary but she dreams of working with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. She aspires to be a great detective and to use her skills and abilities as a witch to help solve cases. As far as she knows, Evaline is only a necromancer, meaning she can bring back the dead and she does just that during her adventure in the mirror world of London called Londinium. Evaline and her betrothed Delbert are whisked away to the mirror world to help find an artifact and stop Doctor Death from her reign of death and destruction before it is too late, and Death comes to proper London. While in Londinium, they come across the strangest and scariest of beings including witches and undead people. What will happen to them? Will they be able to return to London or forever be stuck in the mirror world? You must read this book! The characters are very well written and full of life and personality. The suspense builds up as the pages turn and I found myself unable to put the book down! I am so excited to read what happens in the next book as Evaline and Delbert continue on their adventure!
On Viking Seas by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The third book in the Forerunner series begins where the last book left off. Events are looking a little grim for Cub and Kara as Cub is a captured slave, and Kara is being forced to be put on the market for marriage. The rest of the Agnesson clan do end up in trouble as well.
Finn and his uncle Karl have managed to make an enemy of a dark elf in the last book and that hasn’t been left in the air as the elf gets the help of three witches to try and kill him. Sorven is finding himself in adult like situations and is managing to react like the child he is. There were a lot of face palms when I was reading about Sorven.
This series is so well written. I can see it in all play out im my mind and Finn’s adventures would make an excellent video game. Finn and Kara are my favorites and I can’t wait to read more!
Death & Mirrors: All Things Dark & Deadly, Book One by S.F. Benson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Death & Mirrors is the first book in this YA Gaslamp fantasy. SF’s unique retelling with a twist of the fairy tale Alice In Wonderland. It has it all with necromancers, mythical artefact, a bizarre stranger, a heinous criminal, magick, a budding detective and so much more in this adventure.
The plot is interesting and the characters are as unique as the tale. It was an intriguing read that lovers of Gaslamp fantasy will love.
Evaline imagines herself a bit of detective like Sherlock Holmes not only that she is also a necromancer. When she happens upon a mystery, she soon finds herself falling down the rabbit’s hole straight in to an alternate world.
Reviewed by @jennadb
On Viking Seas by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What an adventure this story is. This book has adventure, suspense and thrills for all too enjoy set in the time of the Vikings. I have loved this trilogy. Intense adventures that grab you on page 1 and don’t let go until you finish. Thorafinn and his friends will take you on the Viking journey of a lifetime. The characters are so well-written. This is book 3 and they feel like old friends by know. Finn has become like a little buddy. The plot flows because you can tell the author did his research into the timeline when he wrote the story. It all wraps up like a nice package, even a nice little boat troll. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Fantastic fantasy series. You really need to hit that one-click. I promise you, you’ll love this series.
Death & Mirrors: All Things Dark & Deadly, Book One by S.F. Benson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is fantastic. Evaline is a strong young woman who may have some fears about using her magic and saving the worlds but she is going to do it. She is on a search for the treasure that will kill the creature trying to destroy the worlds…plus she is up against her father’s archaic views of trying to marry her off. Full of suspense, intrigue and adventures with a dash of romance, you surely won’t be disappointed with this story. Evaline is a strong protagonist that goes up against some mean characters. Well-written, the plot really flows well together. There are even a few plot twists thrown in for good measures. I love how the characters are written and how well they all mesh together even though they are so different. It amazes me with the archaic views of fathers trying to marry off their daughters, and it’s never for love. Ugh! The tone is humor with serious. It’s an enjoyable read that the young adults, even the older adults will enjoy.